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Nature and Environment

Bobcats in the wild.

Meet your feisty neighborhood felines in the Tucson area

Feb 17, 2025 Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are surviving and flourishing in urban settings, despite real challenges.
Squad members from the Aviation Center of Excellence from Fort Novosel, Alabama, compete in the grenade assault course during the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Best Squad Competition on Fort Huachuca. August 28, 2023.

AZ House lawmaker asks that feds waive Endangered Species Act for military

Feb 12, 2025 Gail Griffin's bill would send a letter with the request to the president and both chambers of Congress.
The entrance of the South32 Hermosa mine site, a critical minerals project that looks to source manganese and zinc.

ADEQ approves South32 Hermosa Project expansion for tailings storage

Feb 10, 2025 South32 secures amendment to Aquifer Protection Permit.
Views from the Santa Rita Experimental Range.

Environmental groups challenge air quality permit for Copper World mine

Feb 9, 2025 Appeal argues Arizona regulators failed to enforce stricter pollution controls.
Red Butte in Coconino County, Wednesday, Aug. 30. Known as "Wii'i Gdwiisa," in Havasupai, the sacred grounds are protected under President Joe Biden's Baaj Nwaavjo I'tah Kukveni- Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument.

Interior Secretary’s new order sparks concerns over national monument protections

Feb 7, 2025 Environmental advocates warn the policy shift could threaten protected public lands in Arizona.
The entrance of the South32 Hermosa mine site, a critical minerals project that looks to source manganese and zinc.

Arizona court upholds Hermosa Mine’s water discharge standards

Feb 7, 2025 Arizona Court of Appeals affirms South32’s permit complies with Arizona’s water quality laws.
Governor Katie Hobbs and her staff meet with farmers and homeowners near Willcox, AZ to discuss falling water levels in the aquifer. September 5, 2024

New Arizona bill aims to curb groundwater decline and protect rural farmers

Feb 4, 2025 The Rural Groundwater Management Act (RGMA) could reshape Arizona’s water future.

The Buzz: Comparing public and private-owned utilities

Jan 31, 2025 As Tucson considers taking over electricity service, we ask what difference public ownership makes.
Governor Katie Hobbs speaking with attendees at the 2024 Legislative Forecast Luncheon hosted by the Arizona Chamber of Commerce & Industry at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.

Hobbs announces $60.3 million to strengthen Arizona’s water security

Jan 29, 2025 Funding targets conservation, clean water and rural water systems.
A Louisiana aquarium has a new star — and a mystery — on its hands after a baby shark was born in a habitat without any males.

This shark pup was born in a habitat without any males. How did that happen?

Jan 28, 2025 Yoko the baby swell shark was born on Jan. 3, some eight months after her egg was discovered in a tank with that only housed other female sharks.
Opponent of the proposed Interstate 11 holds up a sign stating her position on the topic.

Progress on Interstate 11 in AZ on hold after lawsuit deal

Jan 23, 2025 A stay in a court case means environmental reports will be re-examined.
The entrance of the South32 Hermosa mine site, a critical minerals project that looks to source manganese and zinc.

Lawsuit challenges EPA over Hermosa Mine air quality permit in southern Arizona

Jan 22, 2025 The Center for Biological Diversity and Patagonia Area Resource Alliance seek to block air permit for critical mineral mine.
Skull of Sabre-Toothed Tiger - Museum of Anthropology - La Paz - Baja California Sur - Mexico. 2015

Saber teeth in predators evolved many times. Did it lead to their extinction?

Jan 21, 2025 A new analysis suggests saber teeth were highly specialized for puncturing prey, ultimately at the cost of durability.
Left: California Gulch on May 1, 2023. Right: Nov., 27, 2024.

Arizona’s Sonoran Chub at risk as border wall blocks critical streamflow

Jan 17, 2025 Threatened fish species faces threats from border infrastructure.
The Central Arizona Project canal just north of CAP headquarters near Phoenix.

Arizona’s ‘Ag to Urban’ Initiative tackling water shortages and sustainable growth

Jan 16, 2025 ADWR’s new program looks to transition water intensive agriculture to low-water-use urban developments amid Colorado River shortages.
Arizona Senator Mark Kelly questions nominee for the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, Lee Zeldin during his confirmation hearing before the Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2024.

Arizona Senator Mark Kelly seeks commitment from EPA nominee to address legacy mines and PFAS issues in Arizona

Jan 16, 2025 Lee Zeldin agrees to support Kelly’s initiatives.

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